At-Home EV Charging Stations: Explaining the Levels of EV Chargers

As prices at the pump continue to rise, more and more drivers are making the switch to electric vehicles. These clean energy alternatives are a great way to reduce your carbon footprint, but freedom from gas is only convenient if you have easy access to charging. That’s where at-home EV charging stations come in. Instead of searching for a public charger, you can rely on your home charger to provide you the power you need for your everyday drive.

The Different Levels of EV Chargers

When it comes to EV chargers, there are three levels:

Level 1

A level 1 charger is what comes with your initial car purchase. The charging cord can plug into any standard 120-volt outlet and will provide you with an average of 2 to 3 miles per hour of charge. For drivers that do minimal driving during the day, you may be able to restore your vehicle to a full charge overnight, but you are still quite limited.

Level 2

A level 2 charger requires a 240-volt outlet or can be hardwired via conduit to your circuit breaker. Unlike level 1 chargers that draw a maximum of 15 amps, a level 2 charger can draw up to 80 amps and provide up to 60 miles per hour of charge with the right charger. With this increased amperage, you can fully charge your vehicle overnight. Having a level 2 charger installed requires working with a professional electrician, but this is a worthwhile investment for increasing the convenience of your electric vehicle. Also, if you ever sell your home, the availability of a level 2 charger will be attractive for many homeowners driving electric vehicles or looking to buy one.

Level 3

Level 3 chargers are the fastest of the charging options, but they are not to be used in homes. They require direct current that can’t be supported by residential wiring. Instead, level 3 chargers are commonly found at public charging stations like Tesla Supercharger Networks and dealerships. As the fastest and most powerful option, these chargers can give you a full charge in less than an hour.

Benefits of Installing an At-Home EV Charging Station

Electric vehicles are only convenient when you have reliable access to charging. Instead of looking for a public charging station at the end of a long day, you could head home to relax and let your car charge on your property overnight so that you’re ready to go first thing in the morning. There are many benefits to installing an at-home charging station, including:

• Fast charging at home: Get up to 20 times more charge with a level 2 at-home charging station in comparison to using a level 1 charger.
• Time- & money-saving convenience: Don’t wait in long lines or pay a fee to charge at a public station when you can charge in the convenience of your own garage.
• Longer battery life: Help extend the life span of your battery by reducing the use of “fast charge” level 3 chargers that can wear down your battery over time.
• Increased property value: As electric vehicles become more popular, an at-home EV charging station will increase the value of your property

Choose Dean’s for Residential EV Charger Installations

With an at-home level 2 EV charging station, you can guarantee reliable access to charging at your home, helping you save time and money and increasing the value of your property. To schedule installation, call the team at Dean’s Home Services. Since 1996, we’ve provided exceptional electrical service throughout the Twin Cities from our licensed and insured expert professionals, and as a family-owned and -operated local company, we’ve developed a reputation for being outrageously professional.

To schedule your at-home EV charging station, call us today at 763-515-4852 or contact us online!